Method

In large bowl, stir together 1/3 cup (75 mL) of the yogurt, oil, curry powder, salt, cumin, coriander, ginger and pepper. Cut cauliflower into florets; add to yogurt mixture along with onion and garlic, tossing to coat.

In food processor, purée cauliflower mixture, remaining yogurt and lemon juice until fairly smooth with a few chunks. Stir in coriander. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 2 days.)

Cream Cheese Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies

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Gingerbread overload? There's no such thing! These soft, chewy ginger-spiced thumbprints are filled with a tangy cream cheese icing for the ultimate holiday treat. A sprinkling of chopped crystallized ginger gives the cookies an added festive touch.

Bake, 1 sheet at a time, in 350°F oven until no longer shiny, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven; using rounded back of 1 tsp measure, gently press wells to reshape. Let cool on pans for 5 minutes; transfer directly to racks to cool completely.

Spiced Cream Cheese Icing: While cookies are cooling, in bowl, beat cream cheese with butter until fluffy; beat in molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Beat in icing sugar until smooth. Spoon or pipe heaping 1 tsp of the icing into well of each cookie.

Garnish: Sprinkle icing with ginger. Refrigerate until icing is set, about 30 minutes. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days.)

Method

In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture in 2 additions. Stir in cherries; knead gently just until dough comes together.

Divide dough into thirds. Working one-third at a time, place dough on large piece of plastic wrap. Covering loosely with plastic wrap, shape into 8-inch (20 cm) long log. Flatten sides to form 1-inch (2.5 cm) tall rectangle; twist ends of plastic wrap to seal. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze in airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before continuing with recipe.)

Gingerbread Cookie Butter

If you ate too much gingerbread over the holidays and aren’t sure what to do with the leftovers, we have your answer: cookie butter. Past-their-prime cookies are best suited to a sweet spread like this one, so round up any gingers that are no longer soft. Slather the butter onto shortbread or graham crackers, use it as a dip for salty pretzels or simply eat it by the spoonful!

The Ultimate Beef Stew

This classic warm-you-up stew becomes even more comforting when made with well-marbled pot roast rather than the usual stewing beef. The fat melts slowly as it cooks, tenderizing the beef into juicy melt-in-your-mouth morsels. A slow finish in the oven gives the stew its rich, hearty texture.

Method

In large bowl, whisk together flour, salt and pepper; toss with beef to coat.

In large Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp of the butter and the oil over medium heat; working in small batches, cook beef, stirring, until browned, about 20 minutes total. Using slotted spoon, remove to bowl; set aside.

Cover and braise in 350 F (180 C) oven for 45 minutes. Stir in cocktail onions; cover and braise for 15 minutes. Uncover and cook until vegetables are tender and beef offers no resistance when pierced with tip of knife, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in peas; cook for 5 minutes.

Skim any fat from surface of stew; remove thyme, parsley and bay leaves. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Change it up - The Ultimate Beef and Mushroom Stew: In large Dutch oven, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat; cook 1 pkg (227 g) button or cremini mushrooms, trimmed, stirring occasionally, until tender, golden and no liquid remains, about 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove to bowl; set aside. Continue with recipe as directed, returning mushrooms to Dutch oven along with beef.